When the Great Shift hit, Ken was the only one amongst his friend group who found himself inside the body of the opposite sex. A few were even lucky enough to keep their bodies in the shuffle, leaving no one close to him that could really empathize what he was going through. Last they had seen him was a few weeks after the Shift when they all caught up at the local cafe, and boy was he in a rough state. Taking a razor to his body’s formally long hair and wearing an over-sized hoodie and sweatpants, it was clear he was struggling coming to terms with his new female form. Sullen and quiet, matters only got worse when the waiter referred to Ken as “she” (after stealing some not-so-subtle glances at his chest), causing him to flee the place, locking himself away in his home, wherein he wouldn’t be seen for quite some time.

No one believed Ken would be attending the end-of-the-summer pool party, even when he texted an RSVP. So imagine everyone’s surprise when he not only showed up, but was also the center of attention all throughout. His hair was still short, but a far cry from the manic, hacked-off look they were expecting: clearly styled, well-maintained, and undeniably feminine. Speaking of undeniably feminine… even the baggiest clothes couldn’t hide those extra caked-up cheeks, and now wearing a shoestring wrapped around his nubile body, anyone with eyes could see his divine proportions. “The only thing that fit me” he had said, as if anyone believed it, but not a soul complained; indeed, you could’ve heard a pin drop when he stood up from the beach chair and sauntered into the house for a drink. Ken may have spent the past few months in self-imposed exile, but one thing was for certain: that night wouldn’t be spent alone.